Recently the Mars Bluff Atomic Bomb Incident was the focus of a small segment for the Travel Channel television show, Mysteries at the Museum. The segment tells the story of how an atomic bomb was accidentally dropped on Florence county during the late 1950′s.
At times, the museum inherits a work of art that isn’t in stable condition for exhibit. This could not have been more apparent when the museum acquired an untitled landscape oil painting, by Swiss painter Franz Knebel Jr. (1809-1877). The work was in a critical state: the frame was structurally unsound, the canvas was falling from the stretcher, the paint had become extremely dried & cracked resulting in some paint loss, the canvas had suffered from multiple tears, etc…
“Morning Story” was a Museum purchase as First Place ($1,000 Museum Purchase Award) in the Twenty-Fourth Guild of South Carolina Artists Exhibition held from November 10, to December 5, 1974…
We are so far removed from the 1930′s that it is hard for us today to sense of the magnitude of the Melvin Purvis’ mania. His celebrity status could be likened to our modern day professional athletes, pop musicians, or movies stars. Comics & radio programs retold the stories of his legendary raids and captures …
The story behind the Mars Bluff event is one of the most fascinating events to ever to happen in our nation during the 20th century. It just so happened that this event took place right in Florence’s backyard…
“Our Town” provides a unique glimpse into the town of Florence during the year 1935. Click the picture above to watch the film.
The engraving on this cornerstone reads “Florence Graded School 5892″. While the correct interpretation of the numbers is still somewhat of a mystery, it is safe to conclude from the engraving that this stone served as the ceremonial cornerstone of the Florence Graded School. The Florence Graded School building has long since been demolished, but we do have record of it’s location and various uses over the years.
The Nine Dragons Carpet made its way to the Florence Museum during the early 1950′s, but its origin can be traced back to the mid 18th century within the heart of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Learn more about the Pee Dee’s connection to this fascinating object in this new blog series highlighting various pieces from the museum’s permanent collection.